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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Younger less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.